English friendly in Japan

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Chef Takashi Yamamoto runs a 10-seat kaiseki counter in Kanazawa with a 15-course menu, sake pairing, and English-friendly service.

Kyoto

Michelin two-star tempura counter in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, seating 12, serves a 10-course omakase by chef Takashi Yamada; book via Tock.

Tokyo

An 8-seat counter branch of Sushi Kanesaka inside Palace Hotel Tokyo, led by chef Shinji Kanesaka, offering a 10-course dinner omakase for about ¥44,800.

Fukuoka

Twelve-seat Edomae sushi counter in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, run by chef Kazuya Ebi, with a Michelin star and a 10-course omakase.

Kyoto

Suzuka is a Michelin-starred, counter-only Edomae sushi restaurant in Kyoto's Nakagyo Ward, open nightly for dinner by phone reservation.